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The 2026 college football schedule looks a little different than in previous years.
For the first time since the rivalry began in 1926, barring interruptions due to World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic, USC and Notre Dame will not face each other next year, or potentially anytime soon.
There have been 96 meetings in total between the two schools, who managed to schedule a game each year even though Notre Dame was not in conference play.
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Southern California Trojans head coach Pete Carroll hoists the trophy with quarterback Matt Leinart (left) after a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2005 Orange Bowl held at Pro Player Stadium. The Trojans won the BCS National Championship with this victory. (Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)
However, USC reportedly wanted to play the game earlier in the season — it was usually played during rivalry week in Los Angeles or in mid-October in South Bend.
The reaction was strong, but Matt Leinart defended his school.
“Call me a loser, but I’m going to trust a school that has produced more Heisman winners than anyone in history and 11 national championships to do what’s right for the program,” Leinart said on Christmas Eve. “Texas and A&M played forever and then they didn’t. Same with Utah and BYU. It was disappointing but the world didn’t end. Hoping it was a momentary break like those.”
Leinart’s head coach at the time, Pete Carroll, differed from his former quarterback.
“I don’t have the opportunity to think about why anyone would want to do that,” Carroll said Monday. “I hope this doesn’t carry over into other matchups that have been so important to people over the years and so much fun, not so much for the teams. This is for the fans and for the alumni. It’s unfortunate. I’m disappointed to hear that.”
Southern California Trojans head coach Pete Carroll celebrates with quarterback Matt Leinart after the Trojans defeated the Washington Huskies 51-24 at Husky Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
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The Fighting Irish announced Monday that they have filled their final open date of 2026 with a game against BYU. Notre Dame and USC officials say they recognize the importance of the rivalry and are working to bring it back, but that likely won’t be until the new decade.
“USC and Notre Dame recognize how special our rivalry is to our fans, our teams and college football and our institutions will continue to work to bring back the battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh,” Notre Dame and USC officials said in a joint statement. “The rivalry between our two schools is one of the best in all of sports and we look forward to meeting each other in the future.”
Notre Dame and USC first played in 1926, and the Irish lead the series between the two traditional powers 53-38-5. The Irish have won each of the last three meetings and won this year in Indiana, 34-24.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love runs the ball against Southern California Trojans safety Kamari Ramsey during the game between the Southern California Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 18, 2025 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Joseph Weiser/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
Negotiations became more difficult when USC joined the Big Ten last season, as the Trojans prefer to play non-conference games in August or September. The two schools, which together have won 22 national championships and produced 15 Heisman Trophy winners, traditionally meet in October or November.
